Using hardware-in-the-loop traffic simulation to evaluate traffic signal controller features

This paper introduces the concept of hardware-in-the-loop traffic simulation and shows how it can be used to evaluate the effect of traffic signal control on traffic performance. The components of a hardware-in-the-loop traffic simulation system are identified and discussed. The paper then describes the use of simulation-based traffic control evaluation as an alternative to field survey-based evaluation. The paired-comparison statistical method is proposed to evaluate traffic signal controller features with hardware-in-the-loop traffic simulation. Practical guidelines for using hardware-in-the-loop simulation for paired comparisons of traffic controller features are given. Finally, the proposed methodology is illustrated with a sample evaluation of diamond interchange control.